2008 certainly started out with a bang for the Speed Queens with 3 girls in the top 6 in Cortina's Downhill! This was followed by all three of us remaining in the top 15 in the next two Super G's as well.
After two days of Downhill training run cancellations because of too much snow, the racing finally got going on Friday. Sadly I got sick with a virus that was brought over by a few Canadian girls, so I was happy to have the days off. I knew I was quite sick when I chose to stay in bed rather than ski epic powder with the girls on the second day of cancellations! It sounded amazing, but I needed the rest and knew even powder couldn't get me out of bed. The race had to be my priority.
Finally the first training run got going on Friday with a planned start of 10am. The start was slowly moved to noon as they realized more work had to be done to the track. Finally, the forerunners were on course and I made the way up to the start. As I took my final step to the start hut, I was told I should turn around since there would be another hold on course. This time for an avalanche that took out some nets! That was a new one for all of us! After this, the training run really did get underway. After all the delays I was pretty tired and ready to crawl back into bed. I finished 22nd.
The next day was race day. The Canadian Speed Queens came out to race! We finished 3rd - Emily Brydon, 4th - Myself, and 6th - Britt Janyk. The other Canadian girls had a bit of trouble with this new track but came away with some positive experience. It wasn't easy for them with only one training run.
Up next were two Super G's. I haven't been as strong in this event this year and I haven't trained it much lately. Although I knew I was skiing well and I was on my game so this gave me confidence. I simply tried to relax and focus on 'just skiing'. I was worried about the sickness in my lungs being a factor but I knew I could do nothing about it, so I chose to ignored it. I focused on the fact that I only had to perform for less than 2 minutes. You can do anything for 2 minutes!
In the first SG I finished 15th with one big mistake that I was happy to recover from and avoid a crash. (I caught an edge in the soft snow and nearly went down). My splits were very positive placing 2nd at the top, 38th where I made my mistake, then 11th and 4th. Even though the final result wasn't there, I was happy with my day and attitude. Emily finished 4th and Britt 6th. Another good day for the Canadians.
I was excited for the next Super G, plus it was my birthday!
Unfortunately the course was almost exactly the same set, and I once again drew a late number (it was warm so the snow wasn't holding up as well as it usually does). I was still skiing well but felt some anxiety in wanting it so badly and being attached the how it felt yesterday. Finally, I was ok, just in the section where I made my mistake yesterday I was very slow - I was trying to control everything. The top section, I killed it once again coming 1st in that section. I finished the run in 13th position, really a solid finish, but far below what I'm capable of. However, I came away from this weekend with new found confidence in Super G.
After the race I found out that the television announcers here in Europe were really taking notice of the Canadians. They kept saying, as the race unfolded, that nothing was over until the last Canadian (in the top 30) came down. Lately the congratulations between athletes and coaches start after number 22 has finished the course (that means the top 15 racers were down). However, no one congratulated anyone till I was down with bib 27. This was a huge compliment and it has filled me with more confidence. The Canadian Girls are getting noticed.
After the race we packed up and got set to leave for Mals for a few days off and then a training block before heading to St. Moritz for our next World Cup. Before we hit the road we had lunch and the staff of the hotel got together and brought me an amazing birthday cake! It was very sweet. We then hit the road and made our way to Hotel Gerda in Burgeis where I had another birthday cake awaiting me. I hit the hay pretty early feeling exhausted after a very full day and looking forward to a couple days off, hoping to get over this cold.
All and all I had a wonderful Birthday, although I really missed David who's in Australia and my family back in Canada.
Take care and I look forward to seeing many of you again soon during the Whistler World Cup! I'll be racing the DH there on February 22nd!!!!
After two days of Downhill training run cancellations because of too much snow, the racing finally got going on Friday. Sadly I got sick with a virus that was brought over by a few Canadian girls, so I was happy to have the days off. I knew I was quite sick when I chose to stay in bed rather than ski epic powder with the girls on the second day of cancellations! It sounded amazing, but I needed the rest and knew even powder couldn't get me out of bed. The race had to be my priority.
Finally the first training run got going on Friday with a planned start of 10am. The start was slowly moved to noon as they realized more work had to be done to the track. Finally, the forerunners were on course and I made the way up to the start. As I took my final step to the start hut, I was told I should turn around since there would be another hold on course. This time for an avalanche that took out some nets! That was a new one for all of us! After this, the training run really did get underway. After all the delays I was pretty tired and ready to crawl back into bed. I finished 22nd.
The next day was race day. The Canadian Speed Queens came out to race! We finished 3rd - Emily Brydon, 4th - Myself, and 6th - Britt Janyk. The other Canadian girls had a bit of trouble with this new track but came away with some positive experience. It wasn't easy for them with only one training run.
Up next were two Super G's. I haven't been as strong in this event this year and I haven't trained it much lately. Although I knew I was skiing well and I was on my game so this gave me confidence. I simply tried to relax and focus on 'just skiing'. I was worried about the sickness in my lungs being a factor but I knew I could do nothing about it, so I chose to ignored it. I focused on the fact that I only had to perform for less than 2 minutes. You can do anything for 2 minutes!
In the first SG I finished 15th with one big mistake that I was happy to recover from and avoid a crash. (I caught an edge in the soft snow and nearly went down). My splits were very positive placing 2nd at the top, 38th where I made my mistake, then 11th and 4th. Even though the final result wasn't there, I was happy with my day and attitude. Emily finished 4th and Britt 6th. Another good day for the Canadians.
I was excited for the next Super G, plus it was my birthday!
Unfortunately the course was almost exactly the same set, and I once again drew a late number (it was warm so the snow wasn't holding up as well as it usually does). I was still skiing well but felt some anxiety in wanting it so badly and being attached the how it felt yesterday. Finally, I was ok, just in the section where I made my mistake yesterday I was very slow - I was trying to control everything. The top section, I killed it once again coming 1st in that section. I finished the run in 13th position, really a solid finish, but far below what I'm capable of. However, I came away from this weekend with new found confidence in Super G.
After the race I found out that the television announcers here in Europe were really taking notice of the Canadians. They kept saying, as the race unfolded, that nothing was over until the last Canadian (in the top 30) came down. Lately the congratulations between athletes and coaches start after number 22 has finished the course (that means the top 15 racers were down). However, no one congratulated anyone till I was down with bib 27. This was a huge compliment and it has filled me with more confidence. The Canadian Girls are getting noticed.
After the race we packed up and got set to leave for Mals for a few days off and then a training block before heading to St. Moritz for our next World Cup. Before we hit the road we had lunch and the staff of the hotel got together and brought me an amazing birthday cake! It was very sweet. We then hit the road and made our way to Hotel Gerda in Burgeis where I had another birthday cake awaiting me. I hit the hay pretty early feeling exhausted after a very full day and looking forward to a couple days off, hoping to get over this cold.
All and all I had a wonderful Birthday, although I really missed David who's in Australia and my family back in Canada.
Take care and I look forward to seeing many of you again soon during the Whistler World Cup! I'll be racing the DH there on February 22nd!!!!
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